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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Flight Test Pilot

💰 $150,000 - $250,000+

AviationAerospace & DefenseEngineeringFlight Operations

🎯 Role Definition

Are you a highly skilled pilot with a passion for engineering and innovation? We are searching for an experienced and disciplined Flight Test Pilot to join our dynamic flight operations team. In this pivotal role, you will be at the forefront of aerospace technology, serving as the critical link between design engineering and real-world aircraft performance.

As a Flight Test Pilot, you will be responsible for planning, executing, and reporting on ground and flight tests for developmental, experimental, and production aircraft. You will operate aircraft in demanding and often unexplored flight envelopes to gather crucial data, assess handling qualities, and validate system performance. Your expert feedback and rigorous analysis will directly influence aircraft design, ensure compliance with airworthiness standards, and ultimately guarantee the safety and success of our cutting-edge platforms. This is a rare opportunity to shape the future of flight.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Military Pilot (with operational and/or test experience)
  • Graduate of a recognized Test Pilot School (TPS)
  • Senior Flight Test Engineer with extensive flight experience

Advancement To:

  • Chief Test Pilot / Lead Test Pilot
  • Director of Flight Operations or Flight Test Manager
  • Senior Program Manager for an aircraft development program

Lateral Moves:

  • Flight Test Engineer
  • Systems Safety Engineer
  • Technical Fellow or Subject Matter Expert in Flight Sciences

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Plan, coordinate, and conduct experimental, developmental, and production flight tests on fixed-wing, rotary-wing, or advanced air mobility aircraft to ensure compliance with design specifications and airworthiness standards.
  • Develop and author comprehensive flight test plans and detailed test cards in collaboration with flight test engineers and multi-disciplinary engineering teams to evaluate aircraft performance, handling qualities, and systems functionality.
  • Serve as Pilot in Command (PIC) or co-pilot during critical flight test missions, operating the aircraft through a wide range of test profiles, including high-risk maneuvers like stalls, flutter tests, and engine-out procedures.
  • Conduct thorough pre-flight briefings with all test participants, including ground crew, flight test engineers, and mission control, to review test objectives, procedures, and emergency protocols.
  • Lead detailed post-flight debriefings to capture qualitative and quantitative data, document observations, identify anomalies, and provide critical feedback to engineering teams for system refinement and troubleshooting.
  • Analyze real-time and post-flight data to verify system performance against design requirements and provide expert pilot-in-the-loop assessments on aircraft characteristics and pilot-vehicle interface (PVI).
  • Write, review, and approve detailed flight test reports, safety assessments, and technical documentation for internal stakeholders and regulatory bodies such as the FAA or EASA.
  • Interface directly with certification authorities and participate in flight tests for type certification, supplemental type certificates (STC), and production acceptance.
  • Assess and provide subjective and objective feedback on cockpit ergonomics, display symbology, control systems, and overall human-machine interface to enhance pilot situational awareness and reduce workload.
  • Develop and validate procedures for normal, abnormal, and emergency aircraft operations, contributing directly to the creation and revision of Aircraft Flight Manuals (AFM) and pilot checklists.
  • Perform rigorous safety and risk assessments for all ground and flight test operations, identifying potential hazards and developing effective mitigation strategies to ensure the safety of all personnel and assets.
  • Operate and evaluate advanced aircraft systems, including avionics suites, fly-by-wire flight controls, navigation systems, autopilot, and mission-specific payloads.
  • Maintain currency and proficiency in multiple aircraft types as required by the program, completing all necessary training and check rides.
  • Provide subject matter expertise during design reviews, simulator evaluations, and ground testing phases to ensure testability and operational suitability of new designs.
  • Fly chase aircraft in support of other test missions, providing an external safety perspective, photographic/video documentation, and real-time observations.
  • Support the Flight Test Safety Review Board by presenting test plans, risk analyses, and mitigation plans for formal review and approval.
  • Collaborate with maintenance and instrumentation teams to ensure the test aircraft is properly configured, instrumented, and prepared for each flight mission.
  • Mentor junior flight test pilots and flight test engineers, sharing knowledge and experience to foster team development and operational excellence.
  • Participate in customer-facing activities, including demonstration flights and technical briefings, to showcase aircraft capabilities and support business development efforts.
  • Stay current with the latest industry developments, flight test techniques, and regulatory changes to continuously improve the effectiveness and safety of the flight test organization.
  • Lead the real-time execution of flight test missions from the cockpit or a remote control station, making dynamic decisions to safely and efficiently meet test objectives.
  • Investigate and report on in-flight incidents, accidents, or significant test anomalies, providing crucial data and analysis for root cause determination and corrective action.

Secondary Functions

  • Support the development of flight simulator models by providing subjective feedback and data for validation.
  • Contribute to the development and delivery of training materials for engineering staff and other pilots.
  • Assist marketing and sales teams by performing customer demonstration flights and speaking at industry events.
  • Participate in accident/incident investigations, providing operational and human factors expertise.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Graduate of a recognized military or civilian Test Pilot School (e.g., USNTPS, USAFTPS, EPNER, ETPS, NTPS).
  • Current FAA Class I or Class II Medical Certificate.
  • FAA Commercial Pilot Certificate with multi-engine and instrument ratings (Airline Transport Pilot certificate is highly preferred).
  • Extensive flight time as Pilot in Command (PIC), typically exceeding 2,000 hours in high-performance aircraft.
  • In-depth knowledge of aircraft systems, aerodynamics, flight controls, and flight mechanics.
  • Experience with flight test instrumentation, data acquisition systems, and real-time telemetry monitoring.
  • Proficiency in flight test planning, execution, and data analysis techniques.
  • Deep familiarity with FAA (e.g., 14 CFR Part 23, 25, 27, 29) and/or EASA certification processes.
  • Ability to write clear, concise, and accurate technical documentation, including test plans, flight reports, and safety analyses.
  • Experience operating a diverse range of aircraft, such as fixed-wing, rotary-wing, or experimental/eVTOL platforms.

Soft Skills

  • Exceptional decision-making and judgment, especially under high-pressure and dynamic conditions.
  • Strong leadership and teamwork skills to effectively manage and collaborate with a multi-disciplinary flight test crew.
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills for clear articulation of complex technical concepts to diverse audiences.
  • Unwavering personal and professional discipline, integrity, and a safety-first mindset.
  • Advanced analytical and problem-solving abilities to diagnose in-flight issues and assess performance data methodically.
  • High degree of adaptability and flexibility to thrive in a fast-paced, ambiguous research and development environment.
  • Meticulous attention to detail for planning complex test procedures and identifying subtle aircraft behavior.
  • Calm, disciplined, and methodical approach to risk management and the execution of emergency procedures.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • Bachelor of Science degree in an engineering or technical discipline from an accredited university.

Preferred Education:

  • Master of Science degree in Aerospace, Mechanical, or Electrical Engineering.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Aerospace Engineering
  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Electrical Engineering
  • Aeronautical Science

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 7-15+ years of relevant aviation and flight test experience.

Preferred:

  • Significant military operational flight experience in high-performance aircraft.
  • Direct experience as an Experimental Test Pilot in a developmental flight test program.
  • Experience with fly-by-wire flight control systems and/or novel aircraft configurations (e.g., eVTOL).
  • Current Top Secret security clearance or the ability to obtain one.
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